Will convicted rapist play pro football (soccer) again?

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**sarpedons-right-hand**

Hey Dakka,
I'm a big football fan, and this story has churned my stomach. The 'gentleman' in question, Ched Evans, had a contract with Sheffield United before he went to prison to serve a 2 1/2 year sentence for rape. Now he is out and the same club are letting him train with them again. Could this mean that he will be back playing pro football within the next month? If so, how is this a good move by Sheffield United?
Even if we don't like to believe it, many football players are role models. How is this going to end well?

Source http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29980279

Also, this http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30015701

**SilverMK2**

While the punishment is nominally complete for the crime he was found guilty of... it is not exactly a smart move to hire a convicted rapist back onto your staff, regardless of what field you work in (or play on).

For more minor offences? Perhaps. Rape, assault and murder (or any other violent crime) should give you significant pause for thought when looking to hire someone, especially a well paid, high profile position.

**Frazzled**

Agreed. The PR guy for the team must have just jumped out the window.

**Mr. Burning**

Relevant

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30015701

Television presenter Charlie Webster has resigned as a patron of Sheffield United after the club allowed convicted rapist Ched Evans to train.

The club said it had granted former player Evans permission to train with the side following a request from the Professional Footballers' Association.

Evans, 25, was freed last month after serving two-and-a-half years for rape.

Ms Webster told BBC's Newsnight that "at no point" had the club acknowledged the "extremity of his crime".

The Wales international footballer was jailed in April 2012 for raping a woman in a hotel room in Rhyl.

'Next generation'
Her resignation comes after Sheffield United released a statement on Tuesday saying Evans would be allowed to train with the club. It said the club had not yet decided whether to re-sign him.

Ms Webster told Newsnight that "nobody" was making a decision about Evans, adding: "I suppose I feel I need to make a decision as patron of Sheffield United.

"My decision is made on the fact that I don't believe a convicted rapist, as in Ched Evans, should go back to a club that I am patron of and should go back into the community to represent the community.

Ched Evans
Ched Evans played for Sheffield United before he was jailed in April 2012
"He's not just going into a job, he's bandied as a role model, we cheer him on as a role model and he's influencing the next generation of young men who are currently still making their decisions on how to treat women and what sexual mutual consent is."

Ms Webster - who in an interview earlier this year revealed she had been sexually assaulted as a teenager - said she had had a "positive" conversation with the chairman of the Sheffield United before resigning.

It comes after campaign groups criticised the decision to allow Evans to resume training with his former club.

Almost 157,000 people have signed a petition urging Sheffield United not to take the player back after the club chose not to renew his contract following his conviction.

However, Sheffield United said there could be no place for "mob justice" in making a decision over his future.

The club said it had considered the views of staff, the Football League and the PFA, as well as the club's supporters and the general public.

An appeal against Evans's conviction was rejected by three judges at the Court of Appeal in 2012. His case is due to be looked at by the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

The Welsh striker maintains his innocence, saying the sex was consensual.

**Hybrid Son Of Oxayotl**

I do not see the problem with hiring him back after he served his sentence. I do see a big problem with taking soccer players as role model though. That is awful. The only thing in which they are, almost by definition, all good examples in how to play soccer well.

**d-usa**

I have mixed feelings about cases like that.

One one hand I do understand the problem of having people who have done bad things in positions where they could serve as "role models". It is not an ideal situation to create the impression that you can do something bad and then get on with your life to be adored by the public.

On the other hand that is the point of the justice system and the punishment. Do the crime, do the time, then get on with your life. Should someone that has served the punishment be prohibited from making a living? If so, where do we stop? Should we punish a club hiring a rapist that served his time as a player? What about hiring a rapist as a trainer? What about having a rapist groundskeeper?

How long, and to what extreme, do we continue to punish people that were already punished by the justice system? I know that some crimes are more emotionally troubling than others, and that most people probably wouldn't care if someone got out of jail for tax evstion and started playing again. I also know that a victim will never stop being a victim no matter how long someone was in jail for.

I know that I wouldn't want a rapist to go back to being a soccer star as if nothing happened, but I don't know if I'm right for feeling that way.

**Medium of Death**

Preparing my own crucifix...

I have my doubts about this guys actual conviction.

The man had sex with a drunk (debatable about the levels) girl who apparently consented to sex (twice). Bearing in mind him and his mates had also been out and had presumably been drinking.

It's also fairly odd that there was no evidence to convict them on other than the men admitting that they had consensual sex with her. It's frankly baffling that one man was cleared and the other convicted. It makes little sense to me.

It was all very seedy but just because she's woken up and felt a semblance of morning regret doesn't mean she was raped.

"I wish I hadn't done that" doesn't equate to "I never wanted to do it in the first place".

**sarpedons-right-hand**

I don't think that he should be stopped from living his life. But from a moral standpoint, there is no way in hell I would consider giving him a new contract if I were the Sheffield United hierarchy. That is PR suicide and the team has had a rough enough last 6-7 years as it is.

Mob Justice is wrong, but whether we like it or not, he wasn't imprisoned for fiddling his tax or for driving without insurance. He was imprisoned for rape. A disgusting and reprehensible crime. Yes, he has served his time, but it would be better if he just left the limelight and became a Plasterer or something. Not going back to playing the game that gave him the time and money to believe that he could get away with it in the first place.

Earning more in a week than the average joe does in a month, and at such a young age, is almost certainly going to skew your moral compass. Especially if you are without the right guiding hand. He is still only 25 and could go on to lead a crime free life.

He just shouldn't be doing it playing football in front of thousands of fans every week.

**Ouze**

Ideally I'd like for a guy who did his time to be able to return to some semblance of a normal life.

I'd also like, much more impossibly, for the criteria for being considered a role model to include more than just "being good at kicking or tossing a little ball around" .

**sarpedons-right-hand**

Medium of Death wrote:
Preparing my own crucifix...

I have my doubts about this guys actual conviction.

The man had sex with a drunk (debatable about the levels) girl who apparently consented to sex (twice). Bearing in mind him and his mates had also been out and had presumably been drinking.

It's also fairly odd that there was no evidence to convict them on other than the men admitting that they had consensual sex with her. It's frankly baffling that one man was cleared and the other convicted. It makes little sense to me.

It was all very seedy but just because she's woken up and felt a semblance of morning regret doesn't mean she was raped.

"I wish I hadn't done that" doesn't equate to "I never wanted to do it in the first place".

Agreed. But that does not change the fact that he was found guilty. Fishy or not, what's done is done...

**Medium of Death**

So let him play then. It's a dodgy conviction and regardless he's served his time.

I hate all the role model nonsense, like Ouze has said, it should be based on more than somebodies ability to kick a ball.

People can like them for playing well, but I'd hardly think people actually consider them role models. They only approach becoming role models when they get older/retire. When they branch out and start helping charities and such. Like old Becks.

"Hey look kids, this guy did what he loved, did it well and made lots of money. He's now using that money to help other people. What a nice man..."

**PhantomViper**

Medium of Death wrote:
So let him play then. It's a dodgy conviction and regardless he's served his time.

I hate all the role model nonsense, like Ouze has said, it should be based on more than somebodies ability to kick a ball.

People can like them for playing well, but I'd hardly think people actually consider them role models. They only approach becoming role models when they get older/retire. When they branch out and start helping charities and such. Like old Becks.

"Hey look kids, this guy did what he loved, did it well and made lots of money. He's now using that money to help other people. What a nice man..."

Yeah... no.

Like it or not, football players are role models for kids and having someone that was actually convicted of rape spend minimum time in prison and then go right back to earning obscene amounts of money sends the wrong message to those kids, not to mention to the victim herself.

**cincydooley**

PhantomViper wrote:

Like it or not, football players are role models for kids and having someone that was actually convicted of rape spend minimum time in prison and then go right back to earning obscene amounts of money sends the wrong message to those kids, not to mention to the victim herself.

Because "don't commit crimes or you'll go to prison" isn't enough?

feth that. That's your job as a parent to present your child with a moral compass, not some athlete or actor.

I'm just glad I'm no longer young and single. If I was, and especially if I was famous, I'd have waivers of consent with me at all times.

**PhantomViper**

cincydooley wrote:

Because "don't commit crimes or you'll go to prison" isn't enough?

When it comes to crimes like rape, murder and the like? No, it isn't nearly enough.

If I was in charge he wouldn't be able to play football ever again, but he would be able to instead apply for a job as a lyrical singer, of the castrato variety!

**cincydooley**

PhantomViper wrote:
cincydooley wrote:

Because "don't commit crimes or you'll go to prison" isn't enough?

When it comes to crimes like rape, murder and the like? No, it isn't nearly enough.

If I was in charge he wouldn't be able to play football ever again, but he would be able to instead apply for a job as a lyrical singer, of the castrato variety!

I have trouble with that.

Rape is bad. There's no arguing that. But I've read a few articles on this Ched fellow's case, and I just don't think it's appropriate to lump him with forceful sexual predators. His sentence seems to indicate that a jury of his peers agreed.

I think there's a lot of nuance in these types of crimes that gets ignored and labels people that, perhaps, it would be diligent to reevaluate.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
I mean, I hate that I'm writing this, because again, RAPE IS BAD, but not all "legal rape" is even remotely the same.

**Hybrid Son Of Oxayotl**

PhantomViper wrote:
If I was in charge he wouldn't be able to play football ever again, but he would be able to instead apply for a job as a lyrical singer, of the castrato variety!

Nope. Too late. You need to cut them before voice change.

**hotsauceman1**

And people wonder why I hate sports.
if this guy was looking for a job in the private sector, he would never get one because of his conviction. But it seems sports doesn't have standards when hiring people

**Sigvatr**

If I was to sponsor that team, I'd pull out faster than they could say "But...".

**cincydooley**

hotsauceman1 wrote:
And people wonder why I hate sports.
if this guy was looking for a job in the private sector, he would never get one because of his conviction. But it seems sports doesn't have standards when hiring people

This isn't true at all.

This is literally the first hit from a google search: http://www.businessinsider.com/10-ex-criminals-who-completely-turned-their-careers-around-2012-6?op=1

Only one was an athlete.

So please, get off it.

**hotsauceman1**

Notice how most of those are related to their crimes. Like the stunt driver.
I'm sure a rapist has good chances of getting a job. Maybe in fantasy porn films

**Hybrid Son Of Oxayotl**

hotsauceman1 wrote:
I'm sure a rapist has good chances of getting a job. Maybe in fantasy porn films

Only if they ate their victims. And live in Japan.

**Co'tor Shas**

Medium of Death wrote:
Preparing my own crucifix...

I have my doubts about this guys actual conviction.

The man had sex with a drunk (debatable about the levels) girl who apparently consented to sex (twice). Bearing in mind him and his mates had also been out and had presumably been drinking.

It's also fairly odd that there was no evidence to convict them on other than the men admitting that they had consensual sex with her. It's frankly baffling that one man was cleared and the other convicted. It makes little sense to me.

It was all very seedy but just because she's woken up and felt a semblance of morning regret doesn't mean she was raped.

"I wish I hadn't done that" doesn't equate to "I never wanted to do it in the first place".

Was it considered rape because she was drunk?

**welshhoppo**

Co'tor Shas wrote:
Medium of Death wrote:
Preparing my own crucifix...

I have my doubts about this guys actual conviction.

The man had sex with a drunk (debatable about the levels) girl who apparently consented to sex (twice). Bearing in mind him and his mates had also been out and had presumably been drinking.

It's also fairly odd that there was no evidence to convict them on other than the men admitting that they had consensual sex with her. It's frankly baffling that one man was cleared and the other convicted. It makes little sense to me.

It was all very seedy but just because she's woken up and felt a semblance of morning regret doesn't mean she was raped.

"I wish I hadn't done that" doesn't equate to "I never wanted to do it in the first place".

Was it considered rape because she was drunk?

Pretty much. If you are absolutely plastered then you can't consent to sex. Therefore it is rape. In the same way you can't have sex with someone who is sleeping, because that is technically rape too.

However, I think that he has served his time and he should be allowed back into the world. He will live with this stigma for the rest of his life, and he probably won't be able to join a bigger club because of it. I know that he is a role model, but I think he'll be a better one if he turns his life around and doesn't do something that stupid again.

**Co'tor Shas**

welshhoppo wrote:
Co'tor Shas wrote:
Medium of Death wrote:
Preparing my own crucifix...

I have my doubts about this guys actual conviction.

The man had sex with a drunk (debatable about the levels) girl who apparently consented to sex (twice). Bearing in mind him and his mates had also been out and had presumably been drinking.

It's also fairly odd that there was no evidence to convict them on other than the men admitting that they had consensual sex with her. It's frankly baffling that one man was cleared and the other convicted. It makes little sense to me.

It was all very seedy but just because she's woken up and felt a semblance of morning regret doesn't mean she was raped.

"I wish I hadn't done that" doesn't equate to "I never wanted to do it in the first place".

Was it considered rape because she was drunk?

Pretty much. If you are absolutely plastered then you can't consent to sex. Therefore it is rape. In the same way you can't have sex with someone who is sleeping, because that is technically rape too.

However, I think that he has served his time and he should be allowed back into the world. He will live with this stigma for the rest of his life, and he probably won't be able to join a bigger club because of it. I know that he is a role model, but I think he'll be a better one if he turns his life around and doesn't do something that stupid again.

Because he was drunk as well, shouldn't she have been arrested as well?

**PhantomViper**

Co'tor Shas wrote:

Because he was drunk as well, shouldn't she have been arrested as well?

Good old Dakka's "blame the victim" was taking too long to show up! I never get tired of reading about people defending rapists.

And I think that that fills up my bingo card for this week.

**welshhoppo**

He wasn't drunk enough apparently. Plus if you take the statute of rape word for word, women can't rape men. You need to have a penis.

**PhantomViper**

welshhoppo wrote:
Plus if you take the statute of rape word for word, women can't rape men. You need to have a penis.

Well, there are some accessories for sale that can solve that particular issue... I heard.. from an acquaintance... a very distant acquaintance that I never see any more...

**illuknisaa**

Why not let him play? Dude already paid for his crimes.

**welshhoppo**

PhantomViper wrote:
welshhoppo wrote:
Plus if you take the statute of rape word for word, women can't rape men. You need to have a penis.

Well, there are some accessories for sale that can solve that particular issue... I heard.. from an acquaintance... a very distant acquaintance that I never see any more...

Nope, it specifically says his penis.

1-(1) A person (A) commits an offence if—
(a) he intentionally penetrates the vagina, anus or mouth of another person (B) with his penis,

Nothing can replace the real thing in English Law. Lord Denning is my Homeboy and all that.

**Sigvatr**

illuknisaa wrote:
Why not let him play? Dude already paid for his crimes.

Ehm...if, for example, a known child molester would move in around our neighborhood, I'd do my very best to get him to move away asap.